Recent UNLV grad Brett Zorich is vying in the 800-meter dash. (Peter Dawson/FOX5)LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Get ready to cheer on some Runnin' Rebels, because three of them are trying to make their way to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Two sprinters and a hammer thrower are headed to trials, and if things go well will represent the USA this summer.
UNLV track and field coach Khadevis Robinson is a former Olympian from the 2004 games in Athens, Greece, and he is trying to go again. He just missed a trip to Sydney, Australia in 2000. He's competing in the 800-meter sprint in Eugene, Oregon, this weekend and he said this Olympic bid has been his toughest. He's getting older, now 35, plus he's newly married with two young boys. Khadevis said it's hard to stay focused when there are so many distractions. That's a message he often delivers to his track team, especially with a variety of distractions available especially to his young college team.
One of those pupils is UNLV graduate Brett Zorich. She also competes in the 800-meter race, and is able to finish those two laps around the track in just more than two minutes. She, too, is headed off to Oregon for the Olympic trials. She says her better shot at the Olympics may be in 2016 in Rio, when she's a little older and a more seasoned runner. She's looking forward to trials as well to gain a little more experience.
"I feel like that's every kid's dream to go to the Olympics. I was more of a soccer player when I was younger and I just did track to stay in shape," said Zorich. "So I think as a kid I always thought I was going to go play soccer in the Olympics. But now anything is possible."
Another UNLV team member, Amanda Bingson, is also headed for Olympic trials. She's a hammer thrower and observers say she has the best shot to make the Olympic team this year. Khadevis says she had a great season, and had one of the longest throws from all NCAA competition this season.
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